Lockouts and mandatory minimums to be introduced to tackle violence

Lockouts for the Sydney CBD and Kings Cross and an eight year mandatory minimum sentence for drug and alcohol affected one-punch assaults will be introduced as part of the NSW Government’s comprehensive package to make our streets safer, NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell announced.

Parliament will be recalled next week in order to implement some of the key legislative measures as quickly as possible.

This tough and comprehensive package includes:

Eight year mandatory minimum sentence for those convicted under new one punch laws where the offender is intoxicated by drugs and/or alcohol, plus new mandatory minimum sentences for violent assaults where intoxicated by drugs and/or alcohol;

Introduction of 1.30am lockouts and 3am last drinks across an expanded CBD precinct to include Kings Cross to Darling Harbour, The Rocks to Haymarket and Darlinghurst;

New state-wide 10pm closing time for all bottle shops and liquor stores;

Increasing the maximum sentence to 25 years for the illegal supply and possession of steroids – up from two years;

Increased on-the-spot fines to $1,100 for continued intoxicated and disorderly behaviour disobeying a police move-on order – an increase of more than five times;

Community awareness and media campaign to address the culture of binge drinking and the associated drug and alcohol related violence;

Free buses running every ten minutes from Kings Cross to the CBD to connect with existing NightRide services on Friday and Saturday nights;

Remove voluntary intoxication by drugs or alcohol as a mitigating factor when courts determine sentences;

Enabling Police to impose an immediate CBD precinct ban of up to 48 hours for trouble-makers;

Introduction of a periodic risk-based licencing scheme with higher fees imposed for venues and outlets that have later trading hours, poor compliance histories or are in high risk locations;

A precinct-wide freeze on liquor licences for new pubs and clubs will be introduced.

“I have been horrified by the continued drug and alcohol-fuelled attacks on city streets and the increase in violence used in these attacks,” Mr O’Farrell said.

“I’ve heard the community’s call for action and I’m confident this package of measures approved by Cabinet will make a difference,” he said.

“These new measures are tough and for that I make no apologies. I expect opposition to some or all of the measures, but the community wants strong action and the NSW Government intends to deliver it.

“The measures announced today build on our targeted approach to tackling drug and alcohol-fuelled violence since we came to government, including the ‘Three Strikes’ regime, increasing police numbers and powers and improving public transport.

“We’re getting on with the job of making our streets safer. The initiatives already implemented have seen a fall in violence on licenced premises, but more improvement is needed and that’s the basis of these measures.

“Dealing effectively with the issue of drug and alcohol-fuelled violence requires concerted efforts by government and its agencies, the alcohol industry and the community.

“A strong consistent message is required that alcohol and drug-fuelled violence will not be tolerated.

“The idea that it’s OK to go out, get intoxicated, start a fight or throw a coward’s punch is completely unacceptable – and, under these measures those who do so will face serious consequences.

“There are no single or simple cure-alls for these problems. Part of the solution will involve community education and that’s why we’ve also committed to a community education campaign along the lines of multimedia road safety campaigns like “What’s your Plan B?”.

“It’s incumbent upon all of us to play our part if we are to stamp out this unacceptable behaviour and change the culture that surrounds it,” Mr O’Farrell said.